Lord Grade, chairman of Pinewood, branded councillors who rejected proposals
for a major expansion of film production facilities “irrational” and vowed
to appeal to the government.

South Buckinghamshire District Council voted on Wednesday to block Pinewood’s £200m scheme by six votes to four. It dealt a heavy blow to the company, which first submitted proposals in 2009 and says it risks losing the James Bond franchise if it fails to offer bigger and more advanced studios.

“It really was very close and it was more about emotion than rational argument,” Lord Grade said of the debate and vote.

“I don’t know what planet these people are on. Britain is desperate for jobs, kids need jobs, and this is going to create thousands in one of our few growth industries.”

“If you were trying to build the original Pinewood from 70 years ago today these people would try and stop you.”

Pinewood’s aims to double its capacity and was backed at the weekend by major Hollywood studios keen to take advantage of Britain’s production expertise.

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The local council first rejected its expansion effort in 2009 amid fierce local opposition to building on greenbelt land.

That decision was backed by a government inquiry last year. It said proposals to include more than 1,000 new homes as part of film sets on the 100-acre site, adjacent to the existing studios at Iver Heath, were “inappropriate in the green belt”.

The housing scheme was dropped in the resubmitted proposals, which attracted a third fewer letters of objection. Lord Grade insisted the revised blueprints were “clearly in line with government policy”.

He dismissed protests that the land should be protected.

“We’re talking about blighted grazingland on the edge of the M25,” he said. “It’s not exactly leafy Bucks.”

Councillors in favour of the plans argued on Wednesday Pinewood should be given special permission to develop greenbelt and the government was likely to favour the revised scheme. Opponents however insisted it would “open the doors to many more spurious claims” on Buckinghamshire greenbelt.